Five Features of a Good Collection Agency

Even the most efficiently run business occasionally encounters some delinquent customers. Your company probably has its own accounts receivable process, of which the final step might be turning over a drastically past-due account to a collection agency.Because some states don’t regulate collection agencies very closely, some of these businesses can engage in unethical activities that could…

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A Little Employee Appreciation Goes a Long Way

There are many reasons that employees stick with an organization long-term. They need to enjoy the work (or at least aspects of it); the pay and benefits must be right; and, yes, they’ve got to get along with their bosses. Many business owners underestimate that last point.Building good relationships between staff members and their supervisors can…

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More to Business Valuation than Meets the Eye

Most business owners and attorneys know the basics of the business valuation process. For example, you might know that there are three approaches to value: the cost, market and income approaches. You might even know some of the methods that fall under these approaches, including the:Adjusted book value,Excess earnings, Guideline public company, Guideline transaction (merger and acquisition), Capitalization of…

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Small Business Alert: Bankruptcy Debt Limits Soon Could Drop

Market uncertainties are causing some small businesses to struggle. If you’re among them and are considering filing for bankruptcy, you may need to act fast. A temporary change in the laws that determine which debtors are eligible for certain bankruptcy protections is scheduled to expire in June 2024. Unless Congress passes legislation to extend the higher…

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Five Rules That Open the Gates

Chances are, you’ve lost a sale that you thought was in the bag.  It happens. The way to improve the odds of success is to learn and follow the five “rules of qualification.” These  are so critical to successful salesmanship that some say for each rule you violate, your chances of closing the deal drops by…

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Why Is the Valuation Date So Important?

It is common to think about which method a business valuation professional will use and whether discounts might apply when considering how the value of an asset will be determined. However, the valuation’s effective date is a critical factor that may not immediately come to mind.  What’s the Big Deal?One of the main reasons an appraisal’s…

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Making a Loan to a Family Member to Help with a Home Purchase

Interest rates on residential mortgage loans have increased significantly over the last few years. If your adult child or another family member needs a mortgage to buy a home, the interest expense may be unaffordable. Plus, skyrocketing home values and low inventories of for-sale properties in most parts of the country are presenting challenges to prospective…

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Deducting Pass-Through Business Losses

Many business ventures generate tax losses, especially in the first few years of operation or under adverse conditions. When can losses be deducted — and how much can you deduct in any given year? This article explains current limitations on the ability of individual taxpayers to deduct losses from pass-through business entities, including sole proprietorships, limited…

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Working Capital: A Potential Valuation Sleeper

Working capital is sometimes overlooked in determining the value of a business. But it can have a material effect on value, so it’s important to remember. A business’s working capital equals the difference between its current assets and current liabilities.  When the value of a business is determined under either the income or the market approach,…

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How to Avoid Tax Pitfalls when Making Corporate Loans to Shareholders

How to Avoid Tax Pitfalls when Making Corporate Loans to ShareholdersInterest rates have increased substantially over the last two years. While rates are still reasonable compared to historical levels, shareholders may decide to take out loans from their companies, rather than pay higher interest rates on bank loans. When doing so, it’s important to follow the…

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